Chemical processing apparatus



May 12, l1942.

W. D. LE BAR ET AL CHEMICAL PROCESSING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 1, 194C. s sheets-sheet 1 May l2 1942 Kw. D. LE BAR ETAL 2,283,008

CHEMICAL PROCES y May 12, 1942. w. D. LE BAR x-:TL

I CHEMICAL PROCESSING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Shedl 3 Filed Aug. 1. 1940 ,Patented'May 1.2, :1942

VPROCESSING APPARATUS :william n.` lLe inaiana Russell E. cashing,V

'Wyandottm `Mich., 'asslgnors to The APenlisylvania. Salt vManufacturing Company, Philadelphia., Pa.,acorporationof'lfennsylvania Application August 1,'194o,fseria1No, 349,366

` 16 claims. crass- 104) This invention relates .to an apparatus `for mix-v ing, workingVand simultaneously advancing the components of :chemical compounds or composivtions Yas a continuous fprocess, in which-the ingredients rarelinitially :assembled at one end of the devicev and thetresultant Yproduct is vdischarged :from the opposite end thereof.

The device `cfztlie Apresent invention is particulaily adapted iorttheproduction of chemical'com- `pounds or compositions, vduringthe 'production 'of which the ingredients'passzthrough a `more Ior less .plasticstate The devicemay be used'where the I ingredients are merely mixed physically 'or a chemical reaction may vtake'.l place in the device. The deviceis particularly applicable :for use in Vconjunction with .the'latten The invention 'will be described, for illustrative purposes, in connection with .the preparation of alkali sub-silicate or aluminate productsfspeciiically the sodium compounds, by reacting powdered vor` moltencaustic shown 1n.Fig..Iv; .'Fig. VI .is an end elevation of the structure alkali and a material in'powdered form furnishing the appropriate acidic oxide. l

The production of various sodium sub-silicate products by reacting powdered caustic soda with .iinelyidiv'ded silicaand with nely divided-water glass is Arlisclosed inU. S'. Patent No. V2,083,545 dated June 15, V1937, and -a'copending .application, Serial No. 101,322, :Iiled September .17.1936, respectively. The use 'of molten caustic-soda'with silica vor water Yglass in the production of sodium Vsub-silicates is ldescribed in U. S. PatentfNo. 2,100,944 dated November 30, 1937. VRegarding `sodium aluminate products, U. 1S. Patents Nos.

2,018,607 dated October 22,1935, and No`..2,159,'843 dated May 23, 1939, describe the production thereof .from -alumina hydrate using powdered caustic soda and molten caustic -s'od'a respec- As stated the above noted patents and fpendingapplication thereac'tionv mass passes through la morev or less plastic state before beine converted into a solid product, and the object of the present'inventionis tto Vprovide an apparatus for initially combining, Working. and simultaneously 'advancing theV caustic tsoda 'and a compound for furnishing the desired sacidic oxide, Under conditionsl Vto cause a reaction to form the plastic mass, and for Vdischarging the plastic mass, allas part of one continuousprocess as distinguished from batch mixings .wherein the materials iin intermittently vrecurrent cycles, whereby :the

- productis continuously'discharged from theeshownin'FigVlI;and 1- v Fig. 1X isa top edge view of the paddle shown vice at 'the proper moment to avoidsolidical 'being had Vtof-the accompanying` 1drawings): of

' which:

, .'Fig, I` is ya:longitudinally :contracted'plan view; jFig; II `is a transverse sectional. elevation taken KYontheline"l1- ;1II,`.lig. ,I; 1 Y j fFig. `III 'is a longitudinal sectional .elevation takenron the line III-Uhlig. 11;.V Fig. V1V .is .an venlarged-.plan view of a group' device; Fig. V is-a front, elevation ,of the structure or gang ofstationaryploughs employed inV the shown in Figs. IV and V;

y .'Fig.- VII is a face viewof onel of the rotary Y paddles employed 'in thefdevce; ,I Fig. VIIIv is a. side edge view of inlEigs. Vl'IandfVIIL In lthefembodiment. iof the concentric withthefsemiscireum wausfo'fte channels 2, 2, and extenizling throughout. thefull lengthand beyond the opposite ends .of the trough. I, isa pair of shaftsfl and V5 .respectively.:, 1nV the present instance, Ythese shafts are `shown. as

40 being Asquare' lin cross-section .although any ,.suit-V Y able polygonous shape, round, .or splinedshaft maybe'employed. 1

.Mounted on1 the shafts l. vand -5 respectively,

for rotation-therewithin opposite directions, o ve r `The `two-series of rotarypaddles 6 `and vl are radapted to cooperate with two series of stationary ploughs .8 and 9 respectively V.to mix, work :and Isimultaneously advancezthe components along the troughLirom one Aend radjacent the. head I0 of thetroughl toward' the `opposite open discharge F groups, four to .a group, as `shown in Figs. IV

Y :the paddle l invention disclosed I in Figs, .I,`II -and III, fthe-device comprises a said head and rigidly supported by longitudinal beams I8 and I9 towhich feet 20 on the trough I are also rigidly secured. A

'The opposite ends of the shafts 4 'and 5 are journaled in bearings 22 and- 23 which are se'- cured to the beams I8 and I9in longitudinallyv spaced relation to the open endV II of the trough I to provide a` discharge area V2| to receive the product and from which the product may be carried by any suitable chute or conveyer means.

Thershafts 4 and 5 are coupled to rotate in opposite directions, as above noted, yby gears 24 vand 25 and either of the two shafts may be fur- -ther 'extended and suitably equipped vto receive `power from rany suitable source, by kwhich the shafts 4 and 5may be rotated in unison.V

In looking along the trough I from the closed YorV forward -end I thereof, it .will be observed 1 that the shaft4 rotates in a clockwise direction and the shaft 5 rotates in a counter-clockwise direction. Consequently, in ordertoadvance the I4 and I5 in the head IU of the The paddles 6 and 1 are' each constructed in accordance with the illustrations of Figs. VII, VIII and IX. Each paddle comprises a hub 4I, which, in the present instance, is rectangular, to fit the square shaft 4 or 5, as the case may be.

Extending radially from each of two opposite flat sides42 and 43 of the hub 4I', are blades or paddles44-and y45 respectively. Each blade 'has a peculiar wedge shape cross-section, as

shown in Fig. IX, with a flat forward surface 46 disposed in a plane n n at right angles to fiat sides 49 and 50 thereof.

the axis ofthe shaft on which the paddle is mounted.

AThe opposite' edges 41 and of each blade are parallel Aand the width ofthe blade therebetween is substantially equal to the width of the hub 4I between the second pair of opposite l The leading edge 41 of each blade presents a relatively narrow fiat surface 5I to the material with-which it makes contact, as Yhereinafter described.- The trailing edge 4B of each blade has a relatively wider liat'surface 52. The rear face 53 of each paddle extends in a plane O-O at an acute angle to the common plane ln--n of Y the frontfacesAS, 46 of the paddle blades.

materials from the closed feed end I0 to the open discharge or rearend II of the trough I,

lthe ploughs 8 and paddles` 6 associated with the shaft 4 are right hand" while the pioughs s and paddles `1 associated with the shaft 5 are left hand.

In each of either of the right or left" hand ploughs 8 or 9 as the case may be, is formed a triangular body portion (Fig. VI) formed integral with the base casting I2, with one side i The end surfaces 54, 54 of the paddle blades V44 and 45 respectively, are curved from th'e leading edges '41 to :the trailing edges 43 of the paddle blades and are of semi-circular cross sections of progressively increasing radius from the leading edges 41 to the trailing edges 48 of the blades. Y l

At the open discharge end II of the trough I, each shaft 4 and 5` is provided with fourradial blades V55, -55 set at 90 apart,in vthe present illustration, although fewer or more blades set at `different anglesV from those shown may be employed. v

d-e of the triangle `coincident with the inner vertical wall 3l of the casting I2 which constitutes a vertical extension of the side wall of the trough I. The base d-f of the'triangular body lies at right angles to the wall3l and coincident with the common plane b'-b (Fig. II) of the axes of the shafts 4 and`5. The third' side or Vedge e`f constituting the inner wall 32 of the triangular body 30 extends at an acute angle to the wall 3I. The rear face 33-of thetriangular body portion 30 lies inl a vertical `plane h-h at right angles to the side wall 3l of the trough I, transversely of the axes of the shafts 4 and 5. The front face 34 of the triangular` body V3|) lies in a plane at an acute angle i to a trans- `verse plane j y' which parallels the plane h--h of the rear face. Y Y

Below the base plane d-f of the triangular body 30, each of the ploughs 8` and 9 is provided with a depending chisel or beveled portion 35, the bottom surface 36 of which is rather blunt and disposed in a horizontal plane parallel to the base plane f-d of the triangular body portion 30. The front face 31 of the chisel 35 is coplanar with the front face134 of the triangular body portion 3U. The inner surface 38 ofthe chisel 35 is coplanar with the inner surface 32 of the body portion 30 of the plough. The rear face 39 of the chisel 35 is disposed in a Aplane k-k at an acute angle m to the plane -v' from which the face 34--31 of the plough recedesA at the angle z'. The rear edge 40 of the bottom 36'of the chisel 35 is parallel to the planes h-h and j-y' (Fig. IV). v

As anexample, to illustrate how the peculiarly shaped ploughs and paddles of the present case act and cooperate to perform the functions necessary to carry out the mixing step in the continuous process heretofore referred zto,.and to advance the material stepby step along the trough,rfromrthe forward end I0 thereof to the discharge end II thereof, caustic soda and other reactant are continuously fed in proper proportions into the forward end I 0 of the trough I. For example, the caustic soda and other reactant are fed in proper proportion to form a product having a ratio of NazO to acidic oxide desired in .the product. The two components, when in powdered form, may befed from suitable hoppers to automatic weighing conveyors or the like vin such a manner that the rate of feed is maintained at a constant value.

Whenusing powdered caustic soda itis desirable to house the feeding mechanism to eliminate contact of moisture therewith.

When molten caustic soda is employed, it may be fed to the trough I by a positive ,displace aside as the narrower leading edges of the bladesiA 'penetrate and the wider trailing-edges follow through the mass.`

-:terials arebeing mixed, afterflevaving one :endof The `blades'also on the two :..each channel6Ilfandbeforesagain` engagingone shafts 4fand5'v carry portions of the massA upy wardly between adjacentploughs ofnthe'series 8 and '9 respectively, andoverthe topsf ofthe shafts and square hubsr4l and dump -these'por' tions togetherbetween saidfshaftsonto the ce'n tral ridge 3 inthe; bottom of the'troughI which of the longitudinally inclinedfsurfaces at the opposite end-or entrance.to the'channels: 60, is

A highly ,beneficial in that vit permits such reactions `to takeplace at .times when the materials are notY .i being advancedlongitudinally /of the receptacle.

directs' the 'dumpngs in .opposite directions .-into 1 the paths Vof the blades 6 and V:'I in the semi'- lcircular vchannels 2,. v.2 respectively of the trough I; I

VAs the"-ingredientsbecome. thoroughly mixed;

in the zone A a reactiontakes place which'starts the transition ofthe mass from a: powdered state,

or'from a mixed powder and liquid staterasthe i case may be, depending lupon theftype of caustic soda used (powderedor molten) into a plasticv AsVV the plastic state becomes more prostate; nounced, the uniquez cooperation between 2the bladesA Band 'I and the ploughs 8 and Ilfbe-V Acomes more effective. In this regardtheY leading edges l4'I ofthe paddles Vrising throughpthe InA otherfwords,` the/longitudinal movement of the material. is periodically interruptedibythe transverse movement -i long-` lenough: and ,1 often 'enoughmduringf the progress l. of the-material throughthe mixer 4to afford reaction in vand of thematerialsfto` any' desiredlextent.beforethe if vmixtureis'ejected'fromthe receptacle.V

"The length of the; trough and the number'of :recurrences -of the advancing cycles 'aresuch that themassis discharged from the end II of the trough iwhileY still -in a plasticystatai. e. before Vthe mass .reaches-.the stage of l solidcation or in some instances,v dependingcupon the materials employed andfthelresults desiredg'a' solid mass in the Vtrough I`, below .the planeb-IL --carries portions of the, massupwardly between .Y the straight; transverse rear -edgesl 33 and the transversely angular forward faces 34Y of adjacent ploughs 8, 8 and 9, 9 at Vopposite sides respectively of thetrough I. Y i. 1

Each blade will push infront. 0f its leading than the width of the channel 60. formed between ploughs. As a resultthereof a goodly'portion of forced into contact with the longitudinally inmay be discharged'fromithe devic.e.=

Theperiod of :retention of thefmaterial'in'the device may be governed to suitconditions and for different materials by 'adding to Ior; removing `from thei shafts` and sideN walls-.predetermined numbers. of the paddles 6 vand .'I: andfploughs 8 .j .and 9, substituting therefor sleeves 56,1ofthe edge 41 a portion of the mass greater inWidth.

ycharacter shown in Fig. I, betweenthecut-ofl blades 'andrthelretaining nuts 51 threaded onto reduced .threaded portion's58 of theshafts `4 Aand 5 respectively.V "1 the adjacent rear and front faces ofsuccessive clirxeclfaceV- 39 of the 'rearmost plough and isA advanced thereby longitudinally of the -trough I (toward therear open end II thereof) into the path of the blades .of the next succeeding paddle on the shaft. The blades of succeeding paddles are set at 90 apart. f

The blades of the next succeeding paddle'fin Y, turn, after being relieved of Yexcess material in the manner noted above, rise under the excess mass vwhich has been advancedinto their path channelll between the two ploughs,.to a` position above the plane bb.

, The material moving up through the channelv 60 is lthen carried by theblades overthe top of the shaft on which thepaddles aremountedinto thercenter of the.trough between the two shafts ,f4 and 5, and down' into thechannels 2, 2 of the...

Ntrough I, then under the shafts. 4 and 5/,to be `V`mixed withlthemasses in the channels 2,/2 for a repeat of the cycle.

` by the chisel end 35of the preceding plough and carry the sliced 01T portions upwardly `into the Y portion ofthe surplus-around each blade.

lDuring the risingofeachbladef-.between ther rear straight face 33 of Aoneplough and thexfront angular face134 of the next adjacentplough; the

trowelling action in thematerial against the angular. front face of the plough. Thus, .akncading effect is produced between Athese two. surfaces which vtendsto give a moreevfficient intermixing and working together of Athe ingredients.

The material is of such consistencythat theV blades provide no advancement thereof once the plastic stage sets in and as a result thereof the material would merely cling to thebladesiand travel in a circular path therewith if itwere'not -for themcoaction of the ploughs in chiseling off a The inclination of., the. rear faces ofv theA ploughs trough I to and outthe discharge end I I-thereof.

of the trough byreason of the longitudinal angu- I Y larity of the back face. of the chisel end of each .plough and the circular `motion over lthe top', 'then under the bottoni of vthe shaft, eventually advance theseportio'ns ofthe m'ass step` by step` along the trough I toward and out of the openv end II thereof into the circular .pathsof the cutter blades 55. Y.

In instances where chemical reactions takel place in the materials being mixed, the time de.

lay Ybetween the. periodic advancementsof the vmaterials longitudinally of. the trough, as afforded by the materials being carried in. acircu- `lar path over `the tops ofthe shafts 4-and 5, or transversely ofthe receptacle in whichlthe matoward the rear or discharge end of the Vtrough causes the sliced-off surplus .to move in that direction, thus the materialis advanced along the .Uponmeferring to Fig. ,II .it willbe clear that,

as thek blades 44 and.45,revolveandcarrya mass of material upwardly intdcontact with the bottom edges v36 of the eploughs. and9 the leading edges 41 ofthe blades, coacting Vwith the bottom edges 36 of, the ploughs,effec taiscissors action on the materialV therebetween ,and shear off ex-V lcess materialv from'each bladeas theblade en- Vters v the .lower end Aof itsl channel 60. TheV .sheared-off materialr 'engages the longitudinally Vinclined surfaces V39' of thefploughs and isadvanced therebyfromthe path of rotation of the "blades of each paddle intothe'path of rotation of the blades ofqthe next succeeding paddle.

Obviously, thefrelative vangles of the leading edgesA4`I of the.blade` s44, 45 andthe bottom edges 36 ofthe ploughs 8.and`9 can vaiy overa 'wide yrange without disturbing the scissorsV action .between/the t'wo. `rIt will also be clear that CSI y the botwtom edges 36 of the ploughs' may be above,

b-:b with.`

below, or substantially inthe plane out altering the scissors effect.'

It w-ill also be understood that, :instead lof' the blades 'on theV lshalt/lli beingrarrahged :at;..'9,Q -with respect to the .blades on the shaft'kand'lnstead `of "the corresponding blades onthe two v.shafts being in the i same; 'transverse .wplanesand. having an :intermeshingr relation. as f shown .in Figs. I

' and II, the. blades onthe shaft 'Bffmay .b eoffset longitudinally .of the ishaftwithrespect tothe blades Von the. shaft 4,- tofoperate .in different transverse planes respectively,.andntheblades be set .at any fdesired anglewith respect to the I blades on the shaftl, without departingfromithe f yspirit of 'the'- -invention,"Underi'these#circumstances, the shaftsfland' may -be 'rotated at relatively different-speeds, 'if desired.A 'It1wi11'be understood that the ploughswith which the `ofiset blades on theishaft cooperate, would be -olset'` longitudinallypf y.the .trough l fin-the same manner and to the same extent as the blades.

l It will also-be understood .that while two-shafts and two sets `of ploughshave been; shown vand described in .thezpresent case,1the `number of -shafts -end thereof and fordischarging the mixture from i the opposite;,endthereov ya seriesof elongated channels spaced longitudinally of .the trough 2. A-continuous f mixer.- comprising a horizontal trough for receiving mlxable materials.l at one along one wall 'thereof` and respectively .disposed 1' in planes-extending transversely of the trough, meansfor moving saidzmaterials transversely of Von the -shaft f6, *under these circumstances, may

the trough in recurrent cycles, into andthrough said `channels,respectively 'andbaclrl into the` trough, and .a .longitudinally vinclined surface atv one side :of the material receiving Vendofeach channelfor divertinga portion of the .transversely moving'materialfrornV each channelrlongitudinally ofA the l trough'finto the ,next v:adjacent channel lying nearer the dischargefend of thetrough land .advancing :the-materials step by step through said trough andsout said .dischargefend thereof.

. .3. A=continuous .mixer comprisinga horizontal trough for receiving mixable materialslatoneend thereof and for discharging the mixture from the .oppositeend thereof, a series ofelongated'chanl nels spaced longitudinally of the trough along one may be decreased to one orincreasedto'three or f more, and two or'more'series ofjploughsfma'y be employed with each shaft or with a-single shaft Y instead of a`.single series .ofploughs foreach shaft, without departing lfrom the'spiritofthe invention. Y y

It will also be understood thatywhen desired,

the'trough l Ymay.be-provided ,with a 4Suitable wall thereof and 'respectively disposed-inplanes extending transversely of the trough,"a shaftextending longitudinally' in saidtroughypaddles on .said shaftfor-moving said materials transversely r of the troughunder said shaft into and through cover extending over the full length thereof or to any desired` distance along the trough Vfrom the forward orfeed end'thereof. L

It will -beA understood'that while the-ploughs 8 and 9, which formzthe channels 180,: 6-.therebevtween,fhave beenshown and vdescribed as being stationary "and while the receptacle I'has been shown and described as being in the form of a trough, thev ploughs `may Abeiixed .to .a shaft 'withinthe Areceptacle to rotateA relative to :the

paddles in the same directionat-thefsaxne'speed or in an opposite directionat a different'speed as the. paddle shaft .or shafts, or vice versa, `or the-receptacle maybe .of the closed ltype and may be rotated about its longitudinal-axis, if desired,

' Such'variations obviously .fall withinthefscope of vthe-present invention which resides primarily in effecting rotation between the-paddles and-the channel forming means Aprovided with a longitudinally inclined surface at "one side of leach channel, whereby portions of the material being moved transversely of the receptacle yby the thereof and for discharging the mixture fromthe paddles etc. on vthe shaft will engage'the inclined #surfaces of j the channelsan'd bediverted.thereby into the next adjacent Channels and advanced step bystep longitudinallyof the receptacle..

We claim: i i

'1. A continuous mixer` comprising -a `.horizontal [trough for receiving` mixable `rnai'erials at1 one end thereof and fordischarg-ing the mixturefrom the opposite end thereof, a series of elongated said vchannels Vrespectively and over-the top of said shaft intov the troughin recurrent'cycles,

" and Va .longitudinally 'inclined `surface at one'Y side of the material- -receiving end Yof each channel `for diverting. a portion of the transversely moving material from each channel 'longitudinally 'oflthe trough into the next adjacent channellying near- -er the discharge end of 'the trough and-advancing the-materials step bystep `through said trough and out said discharge end thereof.

4. A continuous mixer lcomprising-afhorizontal troughfor receiving lmixable materials at oneend opposite end thereof, a series of-elongated channels spaced longitudinally of the 'trough along one V(wall v'thereof and respectively disposed in .planes extending'transversely of the trough, a

:shaft l,extending longitudinally in said trough, y

paddles on said shaft forimoving said materials V`transversely ofthe trough under vsaid shaft, into and through said channels respectively and over the top of said shaft into the trough in recurrent cycles, each paddle comprising at least on'e radial blade of wedge-shaped crosslsection with one-face in a planer parallel to Vone wall of the channel throughwhich the bladenpasses and a second face disposed atan angle to` said firstsaid Vface and to the second wall oi' theVc-hannelfor trowelling the 'materials yagainst said second-channel wall,

Yand a longitudinally inclined'surfaceat one side of the-material receiving end of eachchannel for diverting a portion of Vthe transversely moving material from each channel longitudinallyl of the trough into the next adjacent channellying nearchannels spaced :longitudinally lof the trough f alongone wall thereof and respectively disposed in planes extending vtransversely of the trough.v

means for moving said materials transversely `of,

the trough, into and through said channels' respectively, and a longitudihallyii'rilined surface vat one side of thematerial receivingend ofeaeh channel for diverting a portion of the transverse-l ly moving material from. each channel longitudinally of the troug'hinto the next adjacent chan- Ynel lying nearer the-discharge end Qfthe trough A,and'advancingthe materialsstep. by step through 75 said 'trough and Out said discharge end thereof.

er thedischargeend of the trough and advancing the materials step byfstep through said trough and out said discharge end thereof.

f 5. `Acontinuous mixer comprising a'horiaontal trough-for receiving mixable materialsat one end thereof and for dischargingthel mixture from the opposite. end thereof, a series of elongated chanf nels spaced-longitudinally of the trough along *lone wall' thereof and respectively'disposed in .planes extending. transversely of `the trough. a .shaft extending longitudinally in said trough, Vpaddles onsaid shaft forrmoving said materials transversely of the trough under said shaft, into i and throughsaid channels respectively and over aaeaoos gated channels,` therebetween, blades spaced apart along said shaft for operation through said channels, a'longitudinally inclined surface on one side nel through which the-blade passesand a; second. face disposed atan angle v`to said first said face Y and to the secondwall of the channel for. trowel-v Y ling the materials againstsailV second channelv,

wall, a longitudinally. inclined surfacevat one side, of the material receiving yend of; eachchannel forv diverting a portion'ol thetransversely .moving material from eachchannel longitudinallyof the er the discharge end of -the trough Vandadvancing ofthematerial ,therefrom asl theA material" is ejected from said discharge end of saidtrough.

y 6. A continuous mixer` Vcomprising ajhorizontal trough, a pair` of .parallel longitudinal channels in the bottom ofsaid trough, a-seriesvof vertical elongated channels along each-oftheopposite side walls ofthe trough, aI rotary` shaft` above and comprising blades spaced apart along each :nels for moving-material in the trough correspondingly, and a longitudinally inclined surface at one side of the lower end of each vertical channel for diverting material longitudinally of the trough from each vertical channel to the next adjacent vertical channel for advancing said naterial longitudinally ofthe trough step by step from one end thereof to and out of the opposite end thereof.

'7. A continuous mixer comprising a horizontal trough, a pair of parallel longitudinal channels in the bottom of said trough,.a series of vertical elongated channels along each of the opposite side walls of the trough, a rotary shaft above each longitudinal channel, paddles on each shaft and comprising blades spaced apart along each shaft and operable across said longitudinal channels in opposite directions respectively and into and through said vertical channels at said opposite sides respectively of said trough for moving material in the trough correspondingly in recurrent cycles returning the material to the center of the trough between said shafts, and a longitudinally inclined surface at one side of the lower end of each vertical channel for diverting material longitudinally of the trough from each vertical channel to the next adjacent vertical channel for advancing said material longitudinally of the trough step by step from one end thereof to and out of the opposite end thereof.

8. A continuous mixer comprising a horizontal trough, a longitudinal shaft rotatable in said trough, stationary ploughs in and spaced apart longitudinally of said trough to provide elongated channels therebetween, blades spaced apart along said shaft for operation through said channels, and a longitudinally inclined surface on each plough for diverting material from a course transversely of the trough under impetus of each blade to a course longitudinally of said trough and into the channel for the next adjacent blade.

9. A continuous mixer comprising a horizontal trough, a longitudinal shaft rotatable in said trough, stationary ploughs in and spaced apart longitudinally of said trough and providing elon- `vtrough into the next adjacent channel lying nearl5' the materials step by step through said trough. and out said discharge end ,thereof and Va cuttingof each plough'for diverting material from a v course'transversely of the'trough under impetusV Vof'vonelolade toa course longitudinally of said troughandinto thek channel forthe next adjacent'bladaand a transverse surface on the :opposite side of eachfploughv for directing the diverted material through the channel;

`10.Y A' continuous mixer Lcomprising ahorizontal. trough; a lo ngitudinal shaft rotatable in said trough, .stationary' ploughs Vin and spaced apart longitudinallyof Vsaid trough and providing elongated ,channels therebetween, blades spaced apart along saidsliaft for operation through said chanv f, nels, a longitudinally inolined'surface on one side blade onsaid shaft adjacent said discharge end of said trough for severing .protruded'portions o'f,.eaclv1,plouglrfory diverting material from a courseV .transv'erselyff of the trough under impetus 2Qlf, o ne `blla'defto a', course, longitudinally of saidA trough and into the'cha'nnel' for lthe next adja- -cfnt'blada'and altravnsverlse surface on the oppositegside': of.eachploughffordirecting the diverted i material through the Y"channel," each plough hav- Y .a5

ing autransver'sefsurfaf adjacent said longitudil ...nally 'inclinedfsurfaceto cooperate with the first each longitudinal channel, paddles on each shaft A,

plough .to form said channel th arche-tween.r

` shaftl and operable across said longitudinal chan-, fl".

optalv trough, a'longi'tudinallshaft rotatable in said 11A continuousv mixer comprising a horizontrough, stationary ploughs' inv and spaced apart longitudinally of said trough and providing elongated channels therebetween, blades spaced apart along said shaft for operation through said channels, a longitudinally inclined surface on one side of each plough fordiverting material from a course transversely of the trough under impetus of pne blade to a course longitudinally of said trough and into the channel for the next adjacent blade, a transverse surface on the opposite side of each plough for directing the diverted material through the channel, and an upper transversely inclined surface on each plough intermediate said sides thereof to afford relief for the material at the discharge end of the channel.

12. A continuous mixer comprising a horizontal trough, a longitudinal shaft rotatable in said trough, stationary ploughs in and spaced apart longitudinally of said trough along one Wall thereof and providing vertical elongated channels therebetween, blades spaced apart along said shaft for operation through said channels, and a longitudinally inclined surface on one side of each plough at the lower end thereof for diverting material from a course transversely of the trough under impetus of one blade to a course longitudinally of said trough and into the lower endY transversely of the trough under impetus of one y blade to a course longitudinally of said trough and into the channel for the next adjacent blade, and a substantially vertical transverse surface on the opposite side of each plough for directing the diverted material upwardly through the channel. i

` 14. A continuous mixer comprising a horizontal trough, a longitudinal shaft .rotatable in said trough, stationary ploughs in and spaced apart longitudinally of said trough along one wall thereof and providing vertical elongated channels therebetween, blades spaced apart along said shaft for operation through said channels, a longitudinally inclined surface on one side of each plough for diverting material from a course transversely of the trough under impetus of each blade to a course longitudinally of said trough and into the channel for the next adjacent blade, a substantially vertical transverse surface on the opposite side of each plough for directing the diverted material upwardly through the channel, and a vertical transverse surface on each plough above said longitudinally inclined surface to cooperate with the first said vertical surface on the next adjacent plough to provide a channel therebetween. 1

15. A continuous mixer comprising a horizontal trough, a longitudinal shaft rotatable in said trough, stationary ploughs in and spaced apart longitudinally of said trough along one wall thereof and providing vertical elongated channels therebetween, blades spaced apart along said shaft for operation through said channels, a longitudinally inclined surface on one side of earch c plough for diverting material from a. course transversely of the trough under impetus of each blade to a course longitudinally of said trough and into the channel for the next adjacent blade, a vertical transverse surface on the opposite side of each'plough, and a longitudinally inclined surface on each blade adjacent said vertical transa direction longitudinally of said receptacle,

paddle means within said receptacle along the length thereof, and means for effecting relative rotation between said channel forming means and said paddle means whereby material within the receptacle and engaged by said paddle means I is moved transversely of the receptacle and is engaged by said inclined surfaces, and whereby portions of said material pass through said channels under impetus of said paddle means while other portions are diverted longitudinally of the receptacle from one channel to the next adjacent channel by said inclined surfaces.

WILLIAM D. LE BAR. RUSSELL E. CUSHING. 

